Your trusted guide to surgical weight-loss Sixty percent of individuals over the age of 20 or 58 million people in the U.S. are overweight. As the obesity epidemic continues to grow, many Americans are researching the benefits and complications of weight-loss surgeries.

Introduction 1 Part I: Is Weight Loss Surgery for You? 7 Chapter 1: The Ins and Outs of Weight Loss Surgery 9 Chapter 2: Voting for Surgery: Are You a Candidate? 19 Chapter 3: Incision Decisions: Your Surgical Options 33 Chapter 4: Understanding the Risks of Surgery 53 Chapter 5: Drafting Your Dream Team: It's More Than a Surgeon 69 Part II: Preparing for Surgery 79 Chapter 6: Paying for Surgery: No Assurance of Insurance 81 Chapter 7: Making the Grade: Testing Prior to Surgery 91 Chapter 8: Preparing Yourself Physically and Mentally: Getting in Tip-Top Pre-Op Shape 103 Part III: The Hospital Experience and Beyond 115 Chapter 9: Checking In and Out: Your Hospital Stay 117 Chapter 10: Knowing What You Can Eat for the First Few Months 133 Chapter 11: Starting on Solid Food 155 Chapter 12: Home Sweet Home: Returning after Surgery 171 Chapter 13: Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Back to Work You Go! 181 Part IV: This Time I'm Going to Make It: Ensuring Success 189 Chapter 14: What Is Success Anyway 191 Chapter 15: Food for Thought: An Eating Plan for the Rest of Your Life 201 Chapter 16: Getting It in Gear: Making Exercise Part of Your Routine 233 Chapter 17: Enlisting Outside Help 249 Part V: Changing Outside and In 257 Chapter 18: Avoiding Potential Pitfalls: Physical Challenges 259 Chapter 19: Dealing with Post-Op Emotional Issues: What's Eating At You? 269 Chapter 20: Me, Myself, and I: Your Relationship with Yourself 281 Chapter 21: Working At Relationships: Family, Friends, and Everyone in Between 293 Chapter 22: Now That I’m Thin, What about the Skin? 307 Part VI: The Part of Tens 319 Chapter 23: Ten Weight Loss Surgery Myths 321 Chapter 24: Ten Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery 327 Chapter 25: Ten Ways to Stay on the Straight and Narrow 331 Index 335

Your trusted guide to surgical weight loss Considering weight loss surgery? This compassionate guide helps you determine whether you qualify and gives you the scoop on selecting the best center and surgical team, understanding today's different procedures, and achieving the best results. You also get tips on eating properly post-op and preparing appetizing meals, as well as easing back into your day-to-day life. Weight loss surgery 101 — get to know the different types of weight loss surgery procedures (and how they work to help you lose weight)Prep for surgery — understand all there is to know about moderating eating habits and incorporating exercise before surgeryCheck in (and out) — find out what you can expect while you're in the hospital all the way through to your experiences after surgerySet yourself up for success — discover how to lose the weight and keep it off for life through a healthy eating plan, exercise, and emotional and physical supportLife after surgery — understand the physical and emotional challenges that come after surgery, like dealing with side effects, coping with depression, and changing your relationship with loved ones (and yourself) Open the book and find: The criteria your surgeon will use to determine if you're a candidate for surgeryThe pros and cons of weight loss surgery proceduresThe scoop on finding and working with a healthcare teamHow to get in tip-top pre-op shapeTrusted tips on ensuring successDelicious recipes for each stage of post-opGuidance for those considering plastic surgeryWeight loss surgery myths Learn to: Decide if gastric bypass surgery is right for youChoose the best doctor and centerPrepare for surgery and achieve the best results